1. What’s the appropriate name for a printed circuit board, PCB, PCA, or PCBA?

PCA – printed circuit assembly. A populated board with all the components.

PCBA – printed circuit board assembly. It’s the same thing as a PCA — a board with all the components included.

PCB is the most commonly used acronym when referring to the circuit board populated with all the components (which is the PCA or PCBA).

2. What exactly is a PCB?

A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board used to hold a chip or other electronic components. To accommodate various design needs, a PCB can be a single layer or consist of multiple layers. PCBs can also be single-sided or double-sided in design.

Several PCBs can be linked in a single device, using either flexible or rigid connectors.

3. Are PCBs flexible or rigid?

The answer is both. PCBs can be either flexible or rigid in design.

Rigid PCBs are designed not to move, and typically cost less to manufacture than flexible PCBs.

Flexible PCBs, or flex boards, are designed to move, twist and fold into the desired configuration, and can eliminate the need for connectors and other components, which can reduce overall production costs.

VCC can work with you to determine the ideal solution for your design — one that maximizes efficiencies.

4. What’s a motherboard?

A motherboard is a printed circuit assembly (PCA) used exclusively in laptop or desktop computers.

While some may refer to a PCA as a motherboard, only those found in computers are motherboards. All other printed circuit assemblies are simply PCA or PCBA.

5. How does a printed circuit board assembly (PCB assembly) work?

The primary function of a PCB assembly is to integrate the electronic components of a device into a compact or defined space. Acting as the central hub of the electronic circuit of a device, the PCB provides insulation for all other electrical components, allowing them to be safely connected to a power source.

6. How are PCBs manufactured?

PCBs are typically made of multiple layers, including RF4 material substrate (such as fiberglass) for insulation, and copper to conduct electric current.

Creating a PCB is a multi-step process that includes:

#1 Designing the PCB – advanced software is used to determine the size, dimensions and number of layers needed for the PCB.

#2 Printing the PCB design – a specialized printer called a plotter printer is used to print the design, which is made up of multiple layers for the conductive and non-conductive areas. The print becomes the foundation of the substrate, which holds the components of the structure includes copper on both sides of the layer.

#3 Printing the copper for the interior layers – the design of the PCB is printed to a laminate that includes a film designed to react with ultraviolet light to properly align the board and the layout of the electrical components.

#4 Getting rid of the extra copper – because the design has been cooked and processed with ultraviolet lights, certain areas are hardened and the copper is bonded to the board. The next step is to use a chemical solution to remove the unnecessary copper from the board.

#5 Inspection and layer alignment – once the extra copper is removed, the design must be scrutinized to ensure all the layer and drill holes align properly. A machine drills a pin through the layers to keep them aligned. Then another machine tests the board for errors.

#6 Laminating the PCB layers – once the board passes inspection, an epoxy resin layer is applied to laminate the board. Another layer of substrate is applied, then layers of substrate resin and copper foil are applied and pressed together.

#7 Drilling holes – a computer-guided drill is used to drill holes through the substrate and inner panels at the appropriate places for the design. Once drilling is completed, any copper left over is removed.

#8 PCB plating – an additional copper layer is added to the board, followed by a thin tin guard to protect the outer layer of copper from being etched off. From there, the PCB receives a solder mask, silkscreen with critical information and placed with a solderable finish.

7. How much does it cost to get a custom PCB made?

Costs will vary depending on the size of the PCB you need. One board can run anywhere from a few cents to hundreds of dollars. Our team can help you identify the best solution for your needs and estimate design and production costs.

8. What’s included in the total cost of a PCB order?

Many design factors will help determine the total cost of a PCB. For example, the size, number of layers, type of board laminate used, and the total number of boards produced can greatly impact the overall cost.

Stay in place – because all the electronic components are soldered to a single board, they do not shift when moved.

Efficient to mass produce – PCBs can be produced in large quantities at a more cost-effective rate than other power methods of component connectivity.

Provide reliable power – because connections are made with the copper tracks on the board, they are less likely to come loose.

10. How many PCB layers can VCC create in one board?

Our experienced team can manufacture rigid single-layer boards as well as multi-layer designs up to four layers thick. However, your design may require less power. Speak with our engineers to help determine the ideal PCB for your needs.